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Home   Glossary
Sgurr nan Gillean Title Image
Meaning Rocky peak of the young men
Altitude 964 metres     (Munro)
Grid Ref. NG47162531
 OS Landranger Maps Required   
Click to purchase from 
  32   South Skye & Cuillin Hills
Only £6.29  (£11.69 Laminated)
Sgurr nan Gillean
(Click to enlarge)

The Pinnacle Ridge of Sgurr nan Gillean silhouetted by low cloud seen from Coire a' Bhasteir, 23rd September 2003

© Peter Burgess

Image by Peter Burgess
Submit A Picture (M)    View Gallery
Mountain Description
Sgurr nan Gillean is one of the most northerly peaks on the Black Cuillin Ridge, and one of the finest with its sharply pointed summit. The Cuillin are composed of gabbro rock which gives wonderful grip even when wet, but these mountains have narrow ridges and pointed summits which require scrambling or even rock-climbing to reach the summit. The ascent of Sgurr nan Gillean commences in Coire Riabach NNE of the summit and continues on rock and scree on the E face of the mountain to reach the SE ridge. From here the ascent is a scramble and the summit is very very small with lots of exposure!
Available Routes
  Ascent Distance Time Including... Description Rating
1 955 m 11.71 km 4 hrs Sgurr nan Gillean  A route for scramblers only with considerable exposure. You are recommended to purchase and study a higher scale map of the Black Cuillin of Skye before attempting an ascent. 5 / 5
Baggers Gallery Submit a Picture (M)

Colin and Stephen descending into the small gap just off the summit. We ascended and descended the 'Tourist Route'. 23/05/08

© Sam Marshall

Image by Sam Marshall

Preparing for the descent of Nicholsons Chimney, Gillean.

© Iain Gillespie

Image by Iain Gillespie

Roped up for the descent of Fathers Gap, Gillean.

© Iain Gillespie

Image by Iain Gillespie

Brian Morris on the so called tourist route(aye right!!!!)to Sgurr nan Gillean. 04.08.98

© David Singleton

Image by David Singleton

John and me ( complete with helmet worn in a rather jaunty manner) at the summit of Sgurr nan Gillean on 4.9.2005.

© Vicki Deritis

Image by Vicki Deritis

Kenny at the summit after Pinnacle Ridge

© John Mcallister

Image by John Mcallister
Weather & Maps, etc ...
Links to the nearest available forecast to Sgurr nan Gillean.
The Cullins
by Accuweather
Scotland Forecasts
by MWIS (PDF format)
West Highlands
by Met Office
Sgurr na Banachdich
by Metcheck
View Location
(Detailed Ordnance Survey maps are available to registered users)
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Enter a distance (1-99 km) to find other mountains in this area.
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Comments Submit A Comment (M)
Roger Green
wrote on April 26, 2007:
Climbed via the West ridge in poor weather. I have to say the exposure was terrifying - in some ways worse than the In Pinn itself. Many scrambling moves that felt decidely dodgy, over hideous exposure. A good head for heights and climbing expereince are very much required for this route.
David S Brown
wrote on May 23, 2006:
Sometime in recent years the once notoriously boggy beginning of 'The Tourist Route' (as mentioned in my Route Review) has been greatly improved. On my recent ascent of Am Basteir (via the tourist route as far as the lip of Coire Riabach, then branched right) it was bone dry and a really good track! (Incidentally: the comment below on this page by David Brown is from another member: he's bagged far more than me, and I'm the photographer, hope that's not confusing!)
Craig Johnstone
wrote on July 10, 2005:
Having never climbed a hill before, let alone a munro, I found this somewhat challenging and am rather surprised to still be alive at the end of it all, still, nice view fom the top though!!
Showing the latest 3 comments. There are 8 available to members.
Local Accommodation Options
Showing the nearest 10 of 36 within 100Km of the summit of Sgurr nan Gillean. Would you like to view all 36?
6.9 km Bla Bheinn - Crossal, Carbost, Isle of Skye, IV47 8SP   Tel: 01478 640269
7.4 km Cuillin Lodge - Glenbrittle, Skye, IV47 8TA   Tel: 01883 715301
8.9 km Ingleby - Carbost, Isle of Skye, IV47 8SU   Tel: 01890 820280
10.3 km Self Catering at Marsco Bed and Breakfast - Marsco, Carbostmore, Carbost, Isle of Skye, IV47 8ST   Tel: 01478 640733
11.3 km Phoenix House - Carbost, Isle of Skye, IV47 8SR   Tel: 01478 640775
38.1 km Alder Cottage - Nostie, Kyle of Lochalsh, Rosshire, IV40 8EQ   Tel: 01875 830566
42.1 km Birchwood Holiday Cottage - Bundaloch, Dornie, Kyle, Ross-shire, IV40 8ES   Tel: 01599 534823
46.0 km Castle Cottage B and B - Lochcarron, IV54 8YB   Tel: 01520 722564
47.0 km Woodlands (self-catering) - by Shiel Bridge, Inverness-shire, IV40 8HW   Tel: 0118 9462214
60.8 km Caolas Beag - 2 Big Sand, Big Sand, Gairloch, Wester Ross, IV21 2DD   Tel: 0131 466 0308
If you would like to have your accommodation listed on MunroMagic, please read our participation information page.
For information on camping visit ScottishCamping.com who also produce a map of scottish camp grounds.
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